Middle East Airlines joining Skyteam
#31
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,907
The Value of Associate ST Members
There will be considerable value to DL and its passengers when the associate members of ST come aboard. For example, right now DL can fly you to MAD or BCN in Spain but no further. With Air Europa as a partner, there is the opportunity for onward travel to the numerous other Spanish points served by Air Europa. Same thing with carriers like Tarom, which will be able to provide onward connections from DL's new service to Budapest to places that are currently not served or underserved by a ST carrier.
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
I am rather surprised that there is no US non-stop to BEY. At least seasonally, it would do rather well. And conspicuous consumption should be observable in the forward cabin as well there as anywhere.
#35
Join Date: May 2005
Location: JFK
Programs: AAdvantage EXP/ConciergeKey
Posts: 292
Originally Posted by vinnmann
Even without Air Europa as a partner, there is no reason that DL cannot book you on an Air Europa flight as a connection to a DL flight. I have had a DL agent offer to put me on Air Berlin. I declined that one, but I did have them book me on Air Portugal and Sata International. Both flights went just fine with no ticketing issues.
#36
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: SEA/DEN
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, Delta Gold Medallion, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 311
Originally Posted by holtju2
The return flight from BEY to IST was delayed by 3:15 because of a late incoming aircraft. MEA has only 9 planes so you may encounter delays. There were quite a few angry passengers that were going to miss their connecting flights out of IST because of this.
With MEA planning to expand its fleet in 2007 and 2008, it'll help alleviate this.
Originally Posted by GUWonder
I am rather surprised that there is no US non-stop to BEY. At least seasonally, it would do rather well. And conspicuous consumption should be observable in the forward cabin as well there as anywhere.
#37
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Burlingame, CA
Programs: TK Miles & Smiles, CM ConnectMiles, AA Advantage
Posts: 2,129
MEA used to fly from JFK in the 70's using 747's. During the war the operation came to almost a halt but I have read that some of the employees showed exemplary attitude by keeping the airline running during those difficult years. They seem to be a top notch carrier that focuses on customer service. I have been well treated in their ticket offices and when I e-mailed them asking for info about their company, they have replied quickly in a generous way.
Last edited by aw; Jan 17, 2006 at 6:45 pm
#38
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: SEA/DEN
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, Delta Gold Medallion, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 311
Originally Posted by aw
MEA used to fly from JFK in the 70's using 747's. During the war the operation came to almost a halt but I have read that some of the employees showed exemplary attitude by keeping the airline running during those difficult years. They seem to be a top notch carrier that focuses on customer service. I have been well treated in their ticket offices and when I e-mailed them asking for info about their company, they have replied quickly in a generous way.
Regards
#39
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida, USA
Programs: Delta DM; Hilton Diamond; SPG Platinum
Posts: 135
Chiming in from a maintenance point of view, an excellant airline.
I purchased some of those B747's and an still friends with their engineers. Top notch.
FM.
I purchased some of those B747's and an still friends with their engineers. Top notch.
FM.
#41
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: SEA/DEN
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, Delta Gold Medallion, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 311
Originally Posted by GK
MEA has better standards on it's single aisle aircraft than it's sponsor member into ST.. I really hope this doesn't signal the beginning of a slow decline in MEA's service quality.
The guys over in the Continental forum are not reacting as *positively* over this news as in here.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=515772
Perhaps they need some *enlightenment*.
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,335
Originally Posted by BA
I doubt standards will slip because of this. Air France will just be providing guidelines and advise. In 15 months time, SkyTeam auditors will audit MEA and if MEA passes all the tests, they'll join.
The guys over in the Continental forum are not reacting as *positively* over this news as in here.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=515772
Perhaps they need some *enlightenment*.
The guys over in the Continental forum are not reacting as *positively* over this news as in here.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=515772
Perhaps they need some *enlightenment*.
#43
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: SEA/DEN
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold, Delta Gold Medallion, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 311
Today the Lebanese newspaper Al-Balad reported that MEA will soon place an order for 8 aircraft to be delivered in 2008 and 2009 as well as 5 options for delivery in 2010 and 2011, so they will effectively double their fleet size in the next few years.
MEA currently operates a fleet of 6 Airbus A321-200s and 3 Airbus A330-200s, all delivered in 2003.
This is a good sign about their intentions for SkyTeam...
MEA currently operates a fleet of 6 Airbus A321-200s and 3 Airbus A330-200s, all delivered in 2003.
This is a good sign about their intentions for SkyTeam...
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,335
Originally Posted by BA
Today the Lebanese newspaper Al-Balad reported that MEA will soon place an order for 8 aircraft to be delivered in 2008 and 2009 as well as 5 options for delivery in 2010 and 2011, so they will effectively double their fleet size in the next few years.
MEA currently operates a fleet of 6 Airbus A321-200s and 3 Airbus A330-200s, all delivered in 2003.
This is a good sign about their intentions for SkyTeam...
MEA currently operates a fleet of 6 Airbus A321-200s and 3 Airbus A330-200s, all delivered in 2003.
This is a good sign about their intentions for SkyTeam...
#45
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: DL, AA, US, SWA
Posts: 1,129
MEA credit on DL flights
Is there any way to get AF codeshare flights on MEA to credit to DL? I have an upcoming trip to BEY and I am trying to keep it on AF or AL metal but the departure out of BEY is sky high if I do the BEy-CDG return on AF instead of MEA.
Thanks.
Thanks.